Midfield adopts red light camera ordinance

MIDFIELD, Alabama -- The City Council adopted an ordinance tonight allowing for photographic traffic signal enforcement systems, or red light cameras, to be installed at various intersections in the city.

The city could become the first in Jefferson County to use red light cameras in traffic enforcement.

The ordinance comes on the heels of the state Legislature approving a bill by Rep. Merika Coleman, D-Hueytown, that allows the city to use red light cameras in traffic enforcement. The bill was recently signed into law by Gov. Robert Bentley.

Under the ordinance, the city can fine owners of vehicles photographed running red lights $100 for the offense. Midfield officials said red light runners are a big problem, especially along stretches of the Bessemer Superhighway in the city.

No date has been set on when the first cameras will be installed in Midfield.